Obstetric device for animals

ABSTRACT

An obstetric device for aiding the birth process of cattle and the like is disclosed. The device consists of an elongated rod having an end adapted to abut an animal giving birth. The rod is provided with projections spaced longitudinally thereof and two sleeves are slidably mounted on the rod. Each sleeve has a circumferential slot which accommodates a disc, the disc circumferentially surrounding the rod with clearance. A spring in each of the slots biases the discs in such a manner that they partially project into the spaces between the projections on the rod and also partially project outwardly beyond the sleeves. The slots and discs are inclined to the elongation of the rod in such a fashion that the sleeves are able to move in a direction away from the end of the rod which abuts the animal giving birth but are prevented from moving in the opposite direction. Each sleeve is provided with a hook, the hooks on the two sleeves being located on diametrically opposite sides of the rod. A pivotable control lever for effecting movement of the sleeves is so positioned that it overlies the outwardly projecting portions of the discs. In operation, a cable is secured to each hook and the other end of the cable is connected to a leg of the animal being born. Alternate pivoting of the control lever in a sense towards and away from the rod causes alternate movements of the sleeves so that a controlled tension is exerted on the animal being born. In the event of an emergency, the control lever is pivoted as far as possible towards the rod so that it abuts the outwardly projecting portions of the discs. This causes the discs to become disengaged from the projections on the rod so that the sleeves are free to move in a direction towards the end of the rod which abuts the animal giving birth whereby the tension on the animal being born may be quickly released.

United States Patent [19 [1 1 3,863,642 Weiland Feb. 4,1975

[ OBSTETRIC DEVICE FOR ANIMALS spaced longitudinally thereof and twosleeves are slid- [75] Inventor: Werner Weiland, Bendorf-Sayn,

Germany [73] Assignee: Rheintechnik Weiland & Kaspar OHG, Bendorf,Germany [22] Filed: July 2, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 375,848

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 4, 1972 Germany 2232713 [52]U.S. Cl. 128/352, 128/353 [51] Int. Cl A6lb 17/42 [58] Field of Search128/252, 253

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,522,508 9/1950 Frank128/352 3,113,571 12/1963 Jeeninga 128/352 3,643,664 2/1972 McMillian...128/353 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,291,567 3/1962 France 128/352Primary ExaminerAldrich F. Medbery Attorney, Agent, or FirmMichael S.Striker ably mounted on the rod-Each sleeve has a circumferential slotwhich accommodates a disc, the disc circumferentially surrounding therod with clearance. A spring in each of the slots biases the discs insuch a manner that they partially project into the spaces between theprojections on the rod and also partially project outwardly beyond thesleeves. The slots and discs are inclined to the elongation of the rodin such a fashion that the sleeves are able to move in a direction awayfrom the end of the rod which abuts the animal giving birth but areprevented from moving in the opposite direction. Each sleeve is providedwith a hook, the hooks on the two sleeves being located on diametricallyopposite sides of the rod. A pivotable control lever for effectingmovement of the sleeves is so positioned that it overlies the outwardlyprojecting portions of the discs. In operation, a cable is secured toeach hook and the other end of the cable is connected to a leg of theanimal being born. Alternate pivoting of the control lever in a sensetowards and away from the rod causes alternate movements of the sleevesso that a controlled tension is exerted on the animal being born. In theevent of an emergency, the control lever is pivoted as far as possibletowards the rod so that it abuts the outwardly projecting portions ofthe discs. This causes the discs to become disengaged from theprojections on the rod so that the sleeves are free to move in adirection towards the end of the rod which abuts the animal giving birthwhereby the tension on the animal being born may be quickly released.

11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB "M915 3.863.642

' SHEET 2 OF 3 FIG. 2

OBSTETRIC DEVICE FOR ANIMALS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The inventionrelates generally to an obstetric device. More particularly, theinvention relates to an obstetric device for use with animals,especially cattle and the like, which serves as an aid in the birthprocess.

The obstretric devices of special interest are those of the typeconsisting of an elongated rod having one end which is adapted to beplaced against the animal giving birth. The rod is provided withcircumferential teeth and two members are shiftably mounted on the rod.Each of the shiftable members is provided with a hook and the hooks arepositioned on diametrically opposite sides of the rod. When theobstretric device is in use, a cable is secured to each hook and thefree end of each cable is then secured to one of the legs of the animalbeing born, i.e., depending upon whether the animal being born is comingout head first or vice versa, one cable is attached to one of the frontor hind legs and the other cable is attached to the other of the frontor hind legs. The cable is attached to the leg of the animal being bornin the form of a sling. A control lever is provided for effectingmovement of the shiftable members in a direction away from that end ofthe rod which abuts the animmal giving birth. The control lever iscommon to both of the shiftable members, i.e., the members carrying thehooks, and is pivotally linked to each of the shiftable members.Movement of the shiftable members in a direction towards the animalgiving birth is prevented by means ofa protrusion provided on each ofthese members which protrusion lies in one of the spaces betweenadjacent teeth of the rod and abuts one of the teeth in such a mannerthat no movement of the respective shiftable member in this directioncan occur. The operation of the control lever is such that, when it ispivoted in a first direction, there is a tendency for one of theshiftable members to move away from the animal giving birth and for theother of the shiftable members to move towards the animal giving birth.At the same time, the protrusion of the former shiftable member iscaused to leave the space between the teeth of the rod so that movementof this member in a direction away from the animal giving birth does, infact, occur whereas the protrusion of the other shiftable member remainsin the space between the teeth so that this member remains stationary.When the control lever is next pivoted in the opposite direction, thereverse occurs, that is, the shiftable member which was originallystationary now moves in a direction away from the animal giving birthwhile the shiftable member which originally moved now remainsstationary. In this manner, a controlled tension may be exerted on theanimal being born so that the latter is helped in the birth process.

An obstetric device of the type described above is known from GermanPat. No. 1,133,076. This device has been shown to work well in practice.However, a difficulty exists in the operation of this device since thetension on the animal being born cannot be released suddenly or quickly.A sudden release of the tension may, however, be necessary in manycases, especially when complications arise during the birth, or forother reasons which require that the tension be suddenly re-' leased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, an object of the inventionto provide a novel obstetric device for aiding the birth process ofanimals.

More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide anobstetric device of the general character described whereby the tensionexerted on the animal being born may be suddenly and quickly released.

Another object of the invention is to provide an obstetric device of thegeneral character described whereby the tension exerted on the animalbeing born may be released with a minimum expenditure of strength by theperson operating the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide an obstetric device ofthe general character described whereby the tension exerted on theanimal being born may be released with a single manipulation by theperson operating the device.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an obstetric deviceof the general character described whereby, during normal operation, atension may be continuously exerted on the animal being born.

A supplementary object of the invention is to provide an obstetricdevice of the genreal character described which is simple and reliablein its operation.

In accordance with the above objects and others which will becomeapparent, the invention provides an obstetric device for use withanimals, particularly cattle and the like, which comprises an elongatedmember having and end adapted to abut an animal giving birth. At leasttwo shiftable members are mounted on the elongated member and these areadapted to be connected with an animal being born. Control means isprovided for effecting movement of the shiftable members in a directionaway from that end of the elongated member which abuts the animal givingbirth so that, when the shiftable members are connected with the animalbeing born, a tension may be continuously exerted on the latter tothereby aid the birth process. Holding means prevents movement of theshiftable members in a direction towards that end of the elongatedmember which abuts the animal giving birth and releasing means isprovided for substantially simultaneously releasing the shiftablemembers for movement in this direction so that, in case of emergency,the tension exerted on the animal being born may be quickly released.

.The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERREDEMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawing and, in particular, to FIGS. Iand 2, it will be observed that the novel obstetric device includes anelongated member which is preferably, but not necessarily, configuratedas a tube. Since the tube 5 per se does not form part of the invention,it is not shown in its entirety. However, it may be seen that the tube 5has an end 11 which is adapted to abut an animal giving birth. The endI] may include a suitably configurated brace which latter may be paddedso as to avoid irritation of the animal giving birth. Such a brace may,for example, be screwed onto the rod 5 or secured thereto in anysuitable fashion. Although both the top and side views of the brace arehere shown as being the same for purposes of illustration, the brace mayhave any suitable configuration and, for instance, may have the form ofa narrow rectangle when seen head-on. The tube 5 is illustrated as beingprovided with external circumferentially extending teeth or projections16 adjacent ones of which are spaced from each other in longitudinaldirection of the tube 5 so as to form recesses 17 therebetween. It ispointed out, however, that the tube 5 need not be provided with theprojections 16 but, instead, the outer circumferential surface of thetube 5 may be knurled so as to increase the friction thereof.

Two members 1 and 2 are shiftably mounted on the tube 5, i.e., on theprojections 16 provided thereon. Preferably, the members I and 2 aresleeves and are slidably mounted on the tube 5. Each of the sleeves 1and 2 comprises a hook or hook-shaped portion, indicated perspectivelyat 90 and 9b, and the hooks 9a and 9b are advantageously located ondiametrically opposite sides of the tube 5. As most clearly seen in FIG.2, each of the sleeves I and 2 is provided with a circumferential slot,the respective slots being shown at 100 and b. A disc 4a is accommodatedin the slot 10a and a disc 4b is accommodated in the slot 10b. It ispreferable when the slots 10a and 10b and the respective discs 4a and 4bare inclined to the elongation of the tube 5 as shown, that is, whenthese are inclined to the elongation of the tube 5 at an angle differentfrom 90. However, it will become clearer later that this is notabsolutely necessary. The discs 4a and 4b circumferentially surround thetube 5 with clearance so that these are movable in a direction radiallyof their respective slots 10a and 10b, i.e., at an angle to theelongation of the tube 5. It will be appreciated that the diameters ofthe slots 10a and 10b are sufficiently large to permit such movement ofthe discs 4a and 4b. Also located in the respective slots 10a and 10 bare biasing elements 7a and 7b, here illustrated as being in the form ofsprings. The springs 7a and 7b bias the respective discs 4a and 4b intothe position indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3, that is, into a position wherethe latter project into the recesses 17 defined between adjacent ones ofthe projections 16.

The control mechanism for effecting movement of the sleeves l and 2longitudinally of the tube 5 includes two sections 3 and 6. AS best seenFIG. 2, the section 3 has two end portions and is pivotally connected tothe sleeve 1 in the region of one of these end portions, the connectionbeing indicated at 12. The section 6 is pivotally connected to thesection 3 in the region of the other end portion of the latter, thisconnection being shown at 13. In addition, the section 6 and the sleeve2 are pivotally connected to one another as indicated at 14. The section3 may be provided with a protuberance 8 which is aligned with the disc4a' in the sleeve 1 whereas the section 6 overlies the disc 4b in thesleeve 2.

In operation, the end 11 of the tube 5 is placed against the body of ananimal giving birth. The end II of the tube 5 will normally be placedaginst the mother animal in the region of the opening of the birthcanal. Two ropes or cables (not shown) are supplied and one end of eachof these is secured to a respective one of the hooks 9a and 9b.Depending upon whether the animal being born is coming out with itsfront legs first or with its hind legs first, the other end of each ofthe ropes is then attached to a front leg or a hind leg of the animalbeing born. At the beginning of the operation, the hooks 9a and 9b arelocated side-by-side in a manner shown in FIG. 1.

The operating position of the discs 4a and 4b is that illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3 or, in other words, that position where the discs 4a and4b project into the recesses 17 intermediate adjacent ones oftheprojections 16. Thus, since the springs 7a and 7b bias the discs 4a and4b into these recesses 17, the discs 4a and 4b will prevent movement ofthe sleeves 1 and 2 towards the end 11 of the tube 5, this effect beingenhanced because of the inclination of the discs 4a and 4b to theelongation of the tube 5 at an angle other than On the other hand, it isthis inclination of the discs 4a and 4b which permits movement of thesleeves l and 2 in a direction away from the end 11 of the tube 5 eventhough movement of the sleeves l and 2 in the opposite direction isprevented. It will be seen that the discs 4a and 4b constitute holdingmeans for preventing movement of the sleeves l and 2 in a directiontowards the end II of the tube 5. It is also pointed out here, and asmost clearly seen in FIG. 2, that in the operating position justdescribed, the discs 4a and 4b project outwardly from their respectiveslots 10a and 10b towards the sections 3 and 6 of the control mechanism.

The novel obstetric device is intended to aid the birth process bypulling the animal being born from the womb of the mother animal. Withreference to FIG. 2, this is accomplished by manipulating the ocntrolmechanism in the manner to be explained. Pivoting of hthe section 6,which serves as a handle, in a direction opposite to that indicated bythe arrow 15, that is, in a sense away from the tube 5, will causeshifting or movement of the sleeve 2 in a direction away from the end 11of the tube 5. Although such pivoting of the handle 6 simultaneouslytends to move the sleeve 1 in a direction towards the end 11 of the tube5, it will be appreciated that such movement of the sleeve 1 isprevented because the disc 4a projects into a recess 17 and abuts thecorresponding projection 16 in such a manner that this movement cannotoccur. When the handle 6 is next pivoted in the direction of the arrow15 or, in other words, in a sense towards the tube 5, but not far enoughfor the handle 6 to abut the disc 4b and for the protuberance 8 of thesection 3 to abut the disc 4a, the effect will be to shift or move thesleeve I in a direction away from the end 11 of the tube 5. In thiscase. it is the sleeve 2 which tends to move in a direction towards theend 11 of the tube 5 but, again, such movement is prevented by virtue ofthe disc 4b which projects into a recess l7 and bears against aprojection 16. Thus, the

control mechanism is able to effect alternate movements of the sleeves 1and 2 in a direction away from the end 11 of the tube 5 by pivoting thehandle 6 back and forth as just described. In this manner, a controlledtension may be continuously exerted on the animal being born in a sensepulling this animal from the womb of the mother animal so that the birthprocess is facilitated. The alternate movements of the sleeves l and 2in a direction away from the end 11 of the tube 5 may be continued untilthe animal being born has been completely removed from the womb of themother animal.

In the event of complications which may arise during the birth process,or in the event of an emergency, it may be necessary to quickly releasethe tension on the animal being born. When this occurs, the handle 6 ispivoted as far as possible in the direction of the arrow 15. This causesthe handle 6 to abut the disc 4b in the sleeve 2 and the protuberance 8of the section 3 to abut the disc 4a in the sleeve 1. Since, asmentioned earlier, the discs 4a and 4b project outwardly from theirrespective slots 10a and 10b towards the handle 6 and the section 3 whenthey are in their operating position, pivoting of the handle 6 as far aspossible in the direction of the arrow permits the handle 6 and theprotuberance 8 of the section 3 to move the disc 4b and 4a,respectively, in radial direction of the slots 10b and 100. As a resultof this movement, the discs 4a and 4b will no longer project into therecesses 17 between adjacent projections 16 and the sleeves l and 2 willbe free to move in a direction towards the end 11 of the tube 5.Therefore, the sleeves l and 2 may be shifted towards the end 11 of thetube 5 with very little or no resistance in order to release the tensionon the animal being born. The freeing of the sleeves l and 2 formovement in a direction towards the end 11 of the tube 5 occurspratically simultaneously and this freeing of the sleeves l and 2 may beaccomplished very easily even when the tension in the cables is large.The sleeves l and 2 may be moved towards the end 11 of the tube 5 asmuch or as little as is necessary to overcome the complications whichhave occurred. The springs 7a and 7b insure that the respective discs 4aand 4b will again project into the recesses 17 once the handle 6 hasbeen pivoted back far enough in a direction opposite to that indicatedby the arrow 15 so that, if desired, the operation of pulling theaanimal being born from the womb of the mother animal may besubsequently continued. It will be seen that a novel obstetric devicehas been provided whereby the tension on an animal being born may bevery quickly and easily released and without requiring the exertion of alarge amount of force.

It will be appreciated from the preceding description that the slots 10aand 10b and the respective discs 4a and 4b need not be inclined to theelongation of the tube 5 in the manner shown in FIG. I. For example, thesame effect could be obtained by having these arranged normal to theelongation ofthe tube 5 and by then configurating the innercircumferential surfaces of the discs 4a and 4b so as to be inclinedwith respect to the outer circumferential surface of the tube 5. It willbe further appreciated that the same effect could equally well beobtained if, instead of providing the tube 5 with the projections 16,the outer circumferential surface of the tube 5 is knurled over at leasta major portion thereof. In such a case, the springs 7a and 7b wouldserve to urge the discs 4a and 4b, respectively, into firm engagementwith the outer circumferential surface of the tube 5. Since thecoefficient of friction of such a knurled surface is high, the discs 4aand 4b would then prevent movement of therespective sleeves l and 2 in adirection towards the end ll of the tube 5 when they are in theiroperating position, i.e., when they bear against the outercircumferential surface of the tube 5. The slots 10a and 10b and theirrespective discs 4a and 4b may, in such an instance, be inclined to theelongation of the tube 5 in the manner shown in FIG. 2 or. again, it isalso possible for the discs 4a and 4b to be arranged normal to theelongation of the tube 5 and to then have the inner circumferentialsurfaces of the discs 4a and 4b so configurated that these are inclinedwith respect to the outer circumferential surface of the tube 5.

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 4wherein the parts of the oabstetric device corresponding to those inFIGS. l3 are designated with the same reference numerals which here,however, are primed. In this embodiment, the outer circumferentialsurface of the tube 5 is favorably knurled as indicated diagrammaticallyat 16, it being understood that the outer circumferential surface of thetube 5 is knurled over at least a major portion thereof. The tube 5 hasan end 11 adapted to abut the body of an animal giving birth. Twomembers 1 and 2' are shiftably mounted on the tube 5 and, again, theseare preferably mounted for sliding movement on the latter. The member 1includes a sleeve portion la and another portion lb and, similarly, themember 2 includes a sleeve portion 2a and another portion 2b. The sleeveportion 2a of the member 2 is further provided with an abutment 19.

Two discs 40 and 4b circumferentially surround the tube 5 and the disc4a projects inwardly of the portion lb of the member 1 whereas the disc4b projects inwardly of the portion 2b of the member 2. As shown, thediscs 4a and 4b are preferably inclined to the elongation of the tube 5at an angle other than The clearance space between the tube 5 and thediscs 4a and 4b is relatively small for a purpose which will becomeclear presently. Two biasing elements, here illustrated as being in theform of dished springs 7a and 7b, are also provided. The spring 7a bearsagainst the disc 4a on the one hand and against the sleeve portion la ofthe member 1 on the other hand and projects inwardly of the portion 1bof the latter. Likewise, the spring 7b bears against the disc 4b andagainst the sleeve portion 2a of the member 2 and projects inwardly ofthe portion 2b of the latter. In this manner, the springs 7a and 7b biasthe discs 4a and 4b, respectively, into the inclined position shown inFIG. 4.

The control mechanism for effecting movement of the members 1 and 2longitudinally of the tube 5 includes the sections 3 and 6 and is, ingeneral, very similar to the control mechanism of the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-3. In the present instance, however, in contrast to theembodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the section 6 is provided with a projection 18.

The manipulations of the control mechanism 3, 6 so as to effectalternate movements of the members I and 2 longitudinally of the tube 5is identical to that described earlier. The operating position of thediscs 4a and 4b is that shown in FIG. 4 and in this inclined positionthey bear against the outer circumferential surface of the tube 5 andprevent movement of the respective 7 members 1' and 2' in a directiontowards the end 11 of the tube 5.

The release of the tension on the animal being born is also effected inthe same manner as explained previously, that is, the section 6 ispivoted as far as possible in the direction of the arrow IS. The operational difference between the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 and FIG. 4resides in the movement undergone by the discs 4a and 4b when thetension on the animal being born is to be released. Thus, in theembodiment being presently discussed, pivoting of the section 6' in thedirection of the arrow causes the projection 18' of the section 6 toabut the disc 4b (from the right-hand side of the latter as seen in FIG.4). Since such pivoting of the section 6' will result in movement of themember 1' relative to and towards the member 2', the abutment 19'provided on the sleeve portion 2a of the member 2 will be caused to abutthe disc 4a (also from the right-hand side of the latter as seen in FIG.4). Consequently, the discus 4a and 4b will be forced to move from theinclined position shown in FIG. 4 to a position where they aresubstantially normal to the elongation of the tube 5. Therefor, since aclearance space is provided between the discs 4a and 4b and the tube 5,the discs 4a and 4b will then no longer engage the outer circumferentialsurface of the tube 5' and the members 1' and 2' will be free to move ina direction towards the end 11' of the tube 5.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofconstruction and uses differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in anobstetric device for animals, it is not intended to be limited to thedetails shown, since various modifications and structural changes may bemade without departing in any way from the spirit of the presentinvention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can be applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:

1. An obstetric device for use with animals, particularly cattle and thelike, comprising an elongated member having an end adapted to abut ananimal giving birth; at least two members individually shiftably mountedon said elongated member and each adapted to be connected with an animalbeing born; control means for effecting individual movement of saidshiftable members in a direction away from said end so that a tensionmay be continuously exerted on the animal being born when said shiftablemembers are connected with the latter to thereby aid the birth process;holding means for preventing movement of said shiftable mem bers in adirection towards said end; and means for substantially simultaneouslyreleasing said two shiftable members comprising release means coupledwith said control means and operable by the same for disengaging saidtwo shiftable members for sliding movement in a direction towards saidend, whereby in case of emergency the tension exerted on the animalbeing born may be quickly released.

2. An obstetric device as defined in claim 1, wherein said elongatedmember is tubular.

3. An obstetric device as defined in claim 1, wherein said shiftablemembers are sleeve members slidably mounted on said elongated member.

4. An obstetric device as defined in claim 1. wherein said elongatedmember is provided with external projections extending circumferentiallythereof. adjacent ones of said projections being spaced from one anotherin longitudinal direction of said elongated member so as to definerecesses therebetween, and said holding means comprising at least twomovable members each of which cooperates with one of said sleevemembers, each of said movable members having a first position in whichit projects into one of said recesses and bears against one of saidprojections so as to prevent movement of the respective sleeve member ina direction towards said end while permitting movement of the same in adirection away from said end, and each of said movable members having asecond position in which it is located outwardly of said recesses so asto permit movement of the respective sleeve member in a directiontowards said end.

5. An obstetric device as defined in claim I, wherein each of saidshiftable members comprises a hookshaped portion, said hook-shapedportions being located at diametrically opposite sides of said elongatedmember, and each of said hook-shaped portions being adapted for securingthereto one end of a cable the other end of which is secured to a leg ofthe animal beng born.

6. An obstetric device as defined in claim 1, wherein said control meansis arranged to effect alternate movements of said shiftable members.

7. An obstetric device as defined in Claim 1.wherein said control meanscomprises said releasing means.

8. An obstetric device for use with animals, particularly cattle and thelike, comprising an elongated member with external projections extendingcircumferentially thereon, said projections being spaced from oneanother in the longitudinal direction of said elongated member so as todefine recesses therebetween, and said elongated member having an endadapted to abut an animal giving birth; at least two sleeve members eachadapted to be connected with an animal being born and individuallyshiftably mounted on said elongated member, said shiftable sleevemembers each being provided with a circumferential slot; control meansfor effecting individual movement of said shiftable sleeve members in adirection away from said end so that tension may be continuously exertedon the animal being born when said shiftable sleeve members areconnected with the latter to thereby aid the birth process; holdingmeans comprising a pair of discs each accommodated in one of said slotsand surrounding said elongated member with clearance, each of said discsbeing movable radially of the respective slot between a first positionin which it projects into one of said recesses and bears against one ofsaid projections so as to prevent movement ofthe respective sleevemember in a direction towards said end while permitting movement of thesame in a direction away from said end, and a second position in whichit is located outwardly of said recesses so as to permit movement of therespective sleeve member in a direction towards said end; and releasingtowards said end, whereby in case ofemergency the tension exerted on theanimal being born may be quickly released.

9. An obstetric device as defined in claim 8, wherein said slots anddiscs are inclined to the elongation of said islqnrsetes msnihsrat a gldifferent from 10. An obstetric device as defined in claim 8; andfurther comprising biasing means in said slots for biasing said discsinto said first position.

11. An obstetric device as defined in claim 8, wherein said controlmeans comprises a first section having two end portions, said firstsection being pivotally connected to one of said sleeve members in theregion of one of said end portions, and said control means furtherincluding a second section pivotally connected to said first section inthe region of the other of said end portions, said second section alsobeing pivotally connected to the other of said sleeve members, saidfirst 10 section having a protuberance extending towards said one sleevemember and aligned with the disc therein, and said second sectionoverlying the disc in said other sleeve member, said discs projectingtowards said first and second sections when they are, in said firstposition, whereby when said discs are in said first position pivoting ofsaid second section in a sense away from said elongated member causesmovement of said other sleeve member only in a direction away from saidend, pivoting of said second section in a sense towards said elongatedmember but short of said discs causes movement of said one sleeve memberonly in a direction away from said end, and further pivoting of saidsecond section in a sense towards said elongated member causes saidprotuberance to abut the disc in said one sleeve member and said secondsection to abut the disc in said other sleeve member so as to move saiddiscs from said first position to said second position.

1. An obstetric device for use with animals, particularly cattle and thelike, comprising an elongated member having an end adapted to abut ananimal giving birth; at least two members individually shiftably mountedon said elongated member and each adapted to be connected with an animalbeing born; control means for effecting individual movement of saidshiftable members in a direction away from said end so that a tensionmay be continuously exerted on the animal being born when said shiftablemembers are connected with the latter to thereby aid the birth process;holding means for preventing movement of said shiftable members in adirection towards said end; and means for substantially simultaneouslyreleasing said two shiftable members comprising release means coupledwith said control means and operable by the same for disengaging saidtwo shiftable members for sliding movement in a direction towards saidend, whereby in case of emergency the tension exerted on the animalbeing born may be quickly released.
 2. An obsTetric device as defined inclaim 1, wherein said elongated member is tubular.
 3. An obstetricdevice as defined in claim 1, wherein said shiftable members are sleevemembers slidably mounted on said elongated member.
 4. An obstetricdevice as defined in claim 1, wherein said elongated member is providedwith external projections extending circumferentially thereof, adjacentones of said projections being spaced from one another in longitudinaldirection of said elongated member so as to define recessestherebetween, and said holding means comprising at least two movablemembers each of which cooperates with one of said sleeve members, eachof said movable members having a first position in which it projectsinto one of said recesses and bears against one of said projections soas to prevent movement of the respective sleeve member in a directiontowards said end while permitting movement of the same in a directionaway from said end, and each of said movable members having a secondposition in which it is located outwardly of said recesses so as topermit movement of the respective sleeve member in a direction towardssaid end.
 5. An obstetric device as defined in claim 1, wherein each ofsaid shiftable members comprises a hook-shaped portion, said hook-shapedportions being located at diametrically opposite sides of said elongatedmember, and each of said hook-shaped portions being adapted for securingthereto one end of a cable the other end of which is secured to a leg ofthe animal beng born.
 6. An obstetric device as defined in claim 1,wherein said control means is arranged to effect alternate movements ofsaid shiftable members.
 7. An aobstetric device as defined in claim 1,wherein said control means comprises said releasing means.
 8. Anobstetric device for use with animals, particularly cattle and the like,comprising an elongated member with external projections extendingcircumferentially thereon, said projections being spaced from oneanother in the longitudinal direction of said elongated member so as todefine recesses therebetween, and said elongated member having an endadapted to abut an animal giving birth; at least two sleeve members eachadapted to be connected with an animal being born and individuallyshiftably mounted on said elongated member, said shiftable sleevemembers each being provided with a circumferential slot; control meansfor effecting individual movement of said shiftable sleeve members in adirection away from said end so that tension may be continuously exertedon the animal being born when said shiftable sleeve members areconnected with the latter to thereby aid the birth process; holdingmeans comprising a pair of discs each accommodated in one of said slotsand surrounding said elongated member with clearance, each of said discsbeing movable radially of the respective slot between a first positionin which it projects into one of said recesses and bears against one ofsaid projections so as to prevent movement of the respective sleevemember in a direction towards said end while permitting movement of thesame in a direction away from said end, and a second position in whichit is located outwardly of said recesses so as to permit movement of therespective sleeve member in a direction towards said end; and releasingmeans for substantially simultaneoulsy releasing said shiftable sleevemembers for movement in a direciton towards said end, whereby in case ofemergency the tension exerted on the animal being born may be quicklyrelaeased.
 9. An obstetric device as defined in claim 8, wherein saidslots and discs are inclined to the elongation of said elongated memverat an angle different from 90*.
 10. An obstetric device as defined inclaim 8; and further comprising biasing means in said slots for biasingsaid discs into said first position.
 11. An obstetric device as definedin claim 8, wherein said control means comprises a first section havingtwo end portions, said First section being pivotally connected to one ofsaid sleeve members in the region of one of said end portions, and saidcontrol means further including a second section pivotally connected tosaid first section in the region of the other of said end portions, saidsecond section also being pivotally connected to the other of saidsleeve members, said first section having a protuberance extendingtowards said one sleeve member and aligned with the disc therein, andsaid second section overlying the disc in said other sleeve member, saiddiscs projecting towards said first and second sections when they are insaid first position, whereby when said discs are in said first positionpivoting of said second section in a sense away from said elongatedmember causes movement of said other sleeve member only in a directionaway from said end, pivoting of said second section in a sense towardssaid elongated member but short of said discs causes movement of saidone sleeve member only in a direction away from said end, and furtherpivoting of said second section in a sense towards said elongated membercauses said protuberance to abut the disc in said one sleeve member andsaid second section to abut the disc in said other sleeve member so asto move said discs from said first position to said second position.